World Cup heavyweights Germany and the Netherlands were both eliminated in penalty shootouts in the most shocking results of the tournament so far. Four-time champions Germany were dramatically knocked out of the competition in the early hours of Tuesday morning, losing on penalties to Paraguay. Three-time finalists the Netherlands joined them in exiting the World Cup in North America as they suffered the same fate against Morocco.
Earlier, Brazil survived a thriller against Japan, and there were hugely emotional scenes across all three games, including a heartbreakingly bittersweet moment for Liverpool star Cody Gakpo and contrasting fortunes for Arsenal stars.
Arsenal's Martinelli Secures Brazil's Comeback Win
Brazil advanced to the next round after a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory over Japan in Houston. Kaishu Sano put the Samurai Blue ahead on the half-hour mark, but Brazil rallied in the second half. Former Manchester United midfielder Casemiro equalised with a trademark header before Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli bagged the winner in the fifth minute of stoppage time. Brazil will now play Norway or Ivory Coast in the last 16.
Germany's Penalty Heartbreak Against Paraguay
There were tears of disbelief and joy as Paraguay pulled off one of the greatest World Cup upsets by knocking out Germany. Former Brighton forward Julio Enciso gave Paraguay a 1-0 lead in the 42nd minute, but Arsenal forward Kai Havertz tied it for Germany in the 54th minute. After a 1-1 draw following extra-time, the South Americans triumphed 4-3 in the shootout, with Jose Canale netting the decisive penalty. Germany had won six of seven penalty shootouts in major tournaments and never lost a shootout at the World Cup beforehand. Havertz and Newcastle striker Nick Woltemade missed in the penalty shootout, before Jonathan Tah skied his penalty over the bar, and Canale scored the winner to cement the stunning win.
Controversial Disallowed Goal Sparks Klopp's Dig at Arsenal
Julian Nagelsmann's team were incensed after they had a goal controversially disallowed in extra-time. Jonathan Tah thought he'd scored with a powerful header at the back post, but following a VAR review, referee Jalal Jayed ruled out the goal due to a foul by Germany's Waldemar Anton, who was ruled to have impeded Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill in the build-up. Alan Shearer on BBC One said the Paraguayan had "conned the referee". He said: "The keeper falls to the ground on a slight touch and it's very soft. I thought it was a terrible decision. You have to understand it is a contact sport, the goalkeeper has conned the referee and the VAR. The way he went down was pathetic." Speaking afterwards, legendary Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp took a veiled swipe at Arsenal. Klopp, now Red Bull's Head of Global Soccer, said: "If that's a disallowed goal, then Arsenal wouldn’t be English champions. They scored 60% of their goals like that." Germany's exit at the Round of 32 stage is likely to ramp up the pressure on Nagelsmann's position, although he confirmed after the match that he has no plans to resign, reports the Mirror.
Cody Gakpo's Emotional Tribute After Scoring
Morocco became the fourth team to secure a spot in the last 16 overnight, triumphing over the Netherlands who crumbled in a penalty shootout. Cody Gakpo believed he had netted the winning goal for Ronald Koeman's squad in the 72nd minute, only for Issa Diop to equalise for Morocco in the 91st minute. There was a poignant moment involving Gakpo after he scored for the Netherlands, just days after the tragic loss of his unborn son. The Liverpool forward and his partner Noa van der Bij revealed over the weekend that their second son, Elijah, tragically passed away during pregnancy. After collapsing to the ground following his goal, Gakpo's Dutch team-mates quickly gathered around him for support. Micky van de Ven tenderly kissed him on the head as Gakpo broke down in tears, before covering his face with his shirt while Liverpool team-mate Virgil van Dijk comforted him. The former PSV player pointed skyward in tribute to his unborn child as he returned to the centre circle. Despite creating opportunities to clinch victory in extra time, Morocco prevailed in the tense penalty shootout, winning 3-2 in Mexico. Ismael Saibari converted the winning spot kick after Crysencio Summerville, Justin Kluivert and Quinten Timber all missed for the Dutch.
Heatwave Fears in New York
In other news, New York is bracing for a heatwave in the coming days, prompting the city's mayor to issue a warning about "extremely dangerous conditions". Zohran Mandani, Mayor of New York City, stated that temperatures would exceed 37 degrees C from Wednesday until at least Saturday, potentially peaking at 42 degrees C on Friday. "Under the City's Heat Emergency Plan, the City has been planning since last week for what may be a historic heat wave," he posted on X. "Authorities will activate hundreds of free cooling locations across the city from Wednesday," he added.
